Road works: 'Be patient, Georgians'

Update

GEORGE NEWS - The traffic congestion caused during peak hours by concurrent roadworks on a number of main routes in George has had many motorists up in arms. George Herald approached a few people to hear what their view is on the matter.

• Sia Press Mvulane says, "People are just crybabies. Go and visit other provinces. George is much better when it comes to service delivery. I can debate with 100% points of verification."

• Msasazi Bangiso says, "Thembalethans are used to traffic jams, but I hope it will improve now that the Thembalethu bridge is being widened."

• Bobby Knoesen sê, "Hierdie is die toppunt vir my. As die munisipaliteit min tot geen instandhouding op die paaie doen nie, dan kla (almal) en Facebook kreun onder al die klagtes. Doen die munisipaliteit onderhoud aan wat ookal, dan kla dit net so. So al die slim mense wat so kla, kom gee raad hoe om ons infrastruktuur te onderhou sonder onderhoud."

• Azintle Mtsatse says, "Go to the Eastern Cape and see if you'll complain about these upgrades again. In IsiXhosa there's a saying, 'Kubamnyama kakhulu xa kuzosa' which means 'it gets really darker before (the) sun rises'. Thank you George Municipality."

Thembalethu resident: "The traffic jams are making me late every morning. I travel by taxi and arrive at work between 08:30 and 09:00 even though I leave at 07:00. The work on the Thembalethu bridge causes a hold-up and then to get to my work we travel through heavy traffic."

Heidi Coetzee, inwoner van Earl's Court, werk in die industriële gebied: "Ek gebruik die Gwaiingpad as hy nie te sleg is nie. Dit is net vinnig en maklik veral as ek die kinders klaar by die skool (in Blanco) afgelaai het. My huishulp kom nooit voor halfnege by die werk uit nie, al sorg hulle dat hulle al van tussen sesuur en seweuur met vervoerdienste begin om by werk uit te kom."

"Dis nogal frustrerend. Ek ry gewoonlik die hele afstand van plus minus 38 km vanaf Sedgefield tot by George se skouterrein in 45 minute. 'n Stukkie van onder 1 km na my werk toe het my nou die oggend 40 minute gevat vanaf die afrit se verkeerslig. Maar ek verwelkom die gebaar om ons omgewing op te knap. Ek kom van die binneland af en daar is dit nag."

Chairman of the Thembalethu Business Chamber: "The maintenance of infrastructure is very important, but in the same breath it is frustrating when traffic flow is affected. Residents of the bigger George should be patient and think about the improvement they will enjoy once the works are completed. The future and growth of George are dependent on this. One should keep in mind that the lockdown period had a significant impact on productivity and perhaps the municipality is catching up now.